Why are recent Russian military aircraft projects all called PAK like PAK FA, PAK DA, and PAK DP?
To answer your question, I will cite an article by journalist Sergei Moroz from the website of Army Gazette, which is called:"Yesterday, PAK FA, today PAK DA, and tomorrow PAK DP!"“On October 18, 2024. the Russian TASS news agency reported on the transfer of documents by the United Aircraft Building Corporation of the Russian Federation to the Ministry of Defense following the preliminary development of the PAK DP project - a promising long-range interception aircraft complex. projects for the new interceptor for the air defense of the country, which should replace the MiG-31, adopted by the Air Defense of the USSR on May 6, 1981.A total of 519 aircraft of this type were built, 505 of which were ordered by serial orders. Of these, in 2024. about 130 MiG-31 aircraft remained in the structure of the combat units of the Russian Air Force, the last of which were produced in 1992-1994. and have been serving for 22-24 years, and the oldest cars are almost 30 years old.Glider with a predominance of steel and high build quality, provided a unique production control system, introduced in the Soviet years at the manufacturer of the Gorky Aircraft Building Association to them. Sergo Ordzhonikidze (GAZISO, now NGAZ Sokol) gives the opportunity to fly the oldest MiG-31 for at least 10 more years. Accumulated problems with the repair and replacement of components also managed to be solved. Throughout this period, thanks to the completed modifications of the airframe, the power plant, equipment and weapons of the aircraft, the tactical qualities pledged in it will also probably be enough to ensure the military stability of the advanced Russian air defense force.However, nothing stands still, including military equipment. After some stagnation characteristic of the whole world in the 1990s, today we are witnessing its rapid development. And the clearest sign of it is the emergence of new types of weapons, and above all, hypersonic and unmanned aerial vehicles. We are talking not only about airplanes, but also about cruise and aeroballistic missiles, as well as maneuvering warheads of ballistic missiles. The need to protect against them is already a matter of today.Although the issue of replacing the MiG-31 aircraft fleet has been discussed for a long time and widely, and even its future successor, the MiG-41, is named, today the PAK DP project is shrouded in a tight curtain of secrecy. Officially it was reported that the Artyom Ivanovich Mikoyan Design Bureau was already working on the aircraft (which is true - from the mid-1980s, but with a break in the 1990s ... 2000s), but now it’s about the competition of projects and, therefore, other UAC firms will participate. The experience of creating air defense interceptors is also in Sukhoi and Tupolev. "Now for reference:The PAK FA is a fifth generation fighter (flying robot). This category includes the T-50 fighter. About 20 years ago, the air forces of most of the leading countries formed certain criteria, based on which the old fighters were to be modernized and developed. Despite the large number of similar items (for example, "reducing aircraft visibility in the radar and infrared bands" or "supersonic speed without the use of afterburner"), the doctrines of creating the 5th generation of flying machines from Russia and the United States differ significantly. First of all, the difference lies in the index of "super-maneuverability" - a quality that allows the aircraft to remain manageable and stable at supercritical angles of attack. Also, "super-maneuverability" is responsible for a more advanced guidance system of onboard weapons, which can also be induced outside the direction of motion. This combat technique is called the "entry into the rear hemisphere of the enemy", is one of the elements of air combat, and is taken as a basis by Russian designers.It is best to talk about the T-50 in comparison with its American counterparts - the F-22 and F-35. The T-50 has a number of advantages that put it significantly higher than the generation 4 ++ machines and allow you to beat the F-22 and the new F-35.For example, due to worse maneuverability, the F-22 and F-35 have significant problems with hitting targets outside the motion vector. In fact, entering the rear hemisphere of the American corps will mean a certain death for the latter. Also, the PAK FA has in its arsenal a revolutionary technology of optical-location detection and a new radar based on its OLS-50M. It is better than the radar installed even on the new American F-35, not to mention the Raptor.By the way, on the basis of the PAK FA, the PAK KA is already being designed - a new carrier-based aircraft.PAK DA is a promising long-range aviation complex, the work on which was launched in 2024. As a result, it is planned to get a single type of long-range bomber, which will make the company Tu-160, Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3.The PAK DP is a promising long-range intercept aviation complex that will be developed to replace MiG-31 interceptors, which occupy a special niche in the country's defense against air attack weapons (including from cruise missiles). MiG-31s ​​are used to strengthen the air defenses of poorly protected sections of the border - in particular, until recently they formed the basis of the Russian Arctic air defense force.Airplanes of the MiG-31 type were not for nothing called the “flying air defense missile systems”: their radars and fire control system (onboard complex “Zaslon”) give them considerable opportunities to control the airspace and intercept targets (including group ones). The MiG-31 has the ability to work in airplane mode as a radar watch and guidance for other vehicles.PAK TA - development of the project started in 2024. The aircraft was conceived as a replacement for the military transport giants An-22 "Antey" and An-124 "Ruslan". The loading capacity of the new “giant” has not yet been precisely determined, according to rumors it will reach 200 tons, which theoretically will allow to load up to four new T-14 Armata tanks on board. The projected flight range will be about 7000 kilometers.PSS will be a kind of improved version of the Su-25SM attack aircraft. All the same concept of "flying tank" will be brought to the maximum possible result. The aircraft will receive the most modern characteristics of low visibility, the electronic "stuffing" of the attack aircraft will be completely updated: communication systems, radar and navigation equipment. It is particularly interesting that the aircraft design focuses on simplicity to the runways, which will allow to use it everywhere. The armament will also be fully updated - the aircraft will receive new missiles and a new satellite guidance system.According to the project, the first flight of the PSS will be held in 2024. and by 2024 it is planned to completely replace the Su-25SM with a new attack aircraft.
